Kirsten Schwalbe, the oldest living person in Denmark, is celebrating her 111th birthday today in Struer (Midtjylland), according to TV Midtvest.
Schwalbe was born in Struer, Midtjylland, Denmark on 10 March 1914 as one of six children. At 12 years old, she started work as a nanny for a local farming family, where she learned to cook, clean, and the art of housekeeping. Her mother died aged 49.
At the age of 15, Schwalbe moved to Holstebro to work as a housekeeper. The neighbour’s son would later become her husband in 1938; the couple had three daughters. Schwalbe returned to her hometown of Struer in 1945, bringing her family with her. Her first experience in drinking beer was not until the age of 70, after being convinced to taste it by her son-in-law.
Schwalbe was widowed in 1981. She had worked as a seamstress, and enjoyed needlework even after her retirement. She continued knitting into her centenarian years. Until the age of 100 when she started using a walker, she could walk with no assistance.
On 4 April 2024, Schwalbe became the oldest living resident of Denmark, following the passing of 110-year-old Karen Moritz.
The featured image was sourced from BILLED-BLADET.
LongeviQuest extends warm congratulations to Kirsten Schwalbe on her 111th birthday.
